Difference between revisions of "The Right to Vote (5:VII)"
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{{REVIEWED LSLAP | date= | {{REVIEWED LSLAP | date= July 8, 2022}} | ||
{{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = complaints}} | {{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = complaints}} | ||
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Alternatively, section 41.1 allows eligible voters without documentation to be “vouched” for by a voter registered in the applicant’s electoral district with documentation, a family member, or “a person having authority under the common law or an enactment to make personal care decisions in respect of the applicant.” | Alternatively, section 41.1 allows eligible voters without documentation to be “vouched” for by a voter registered in the applicant’s electoral district with documentation, a family member, or “a person having authority under the common law or an enactment to make personal care decisions in respect of the applicant.” | ||
'''NOTE:''' In the 2013 provincial election, prescription pill bottles or inhalers with the applicant’s name were accepted as a valid form of identification. This was done to address the unique challenges individuals with no fixed address and those without government-issued identification face when exercising their right to vote. | :'''NOTE:''' In the 2013 provincial election, prescription pill bottles or inhalers with the applicant’s name were accepted as a valid form of identification. This was done to address the unique challenges individuals with no fixed address and those without government-issued identification face when exercising their right to vote. | ||
When an election writ is issued, the District Registrar will advertise in newspapers announcing the closing day for applications to register. | When an election writ is issued, the District Registrar will advertise in newspapers announcing the closing day for applications to register. | ||
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Please see the following link for more information on making complaints about federal elections: [https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=faq&document=faqgen&lang=e#gen3 https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=faq&document=faqgen&lang=e#gen3]. | Please see the following link for more information on making complaints about federal elections: [https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=faq&document=faqgen&lang=e#gen3 https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=faq&document=faqgen&lang=e#gen3]. | ||
'''Note:''' Major changes to the ''Canada Election Act'' in June 2014 included provisions intended to increase penalties for offences, reduce voter fraud, and empower political parties to drive voter turnout. Specific changes include removing vouching in favour of an oath system where a voter has identification but cannot prove current residence; moving investigations from Elections Canada to the Director of Public Prosecutions; limiting the powers of Elections Canada; increasing donation limits; adding constraints on robocalls; and some changes to third-party advertising. | :'''Note:''' Major changes to the ''Canada Election Act'' in June 2014 included provisions intended to increase penalties for offences, reduce voter fraud, and empower political parties to drive voter turnout. Specific changes include removing vouching in favour of an oath system where a voter has identification but cannot prove current residence; moving investigations from Elections Canada to the Director of Public Prosecutions; limiting the powers of Elections Canada; increasing donation limits; adding constraints on robocalls; and some changes to third-party advertising. | ||
The Supreme Court of Canada struck down previous prohibitions preventing inmates from voting in ''[https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/2002/2002scc68/2002scc68.html Sauvé v Canada (Chief Electoral Officer)]'', 2002 SCC 68. A key consideration in this decision was that, by denying the vote to all prisoners, the ''Act'' failed to balance the right to vote against the seriousness of the conduct of prisoners. | The Supreme Court of Canada struck down previous prohibitions preventing inmates from voting in ''[https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/2002/2002scc68/2002scc68.html Sauvé v Canada (Chief Electoral Officer)]'', 2002 SCC 68. A key consideration in this decision was that, by denying the vote to all prisoners, the ''Act'' failed to balance the right to vote against the seriousness of the conduct of prisoners. | ||
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A person who is unable to produce identification can be registered as a voter. In order to do so, the individual must complete an application for registration and be accompanied by someone who is a registered voter in the applicant’s electoral district, an adult family member, or someone who has the authority to make personal care decisions in respect of the applicant. The applicant and the voucher must both make a solemn declaration, in writing, as to the applicant's identity and place of residence. A person can only vouch for one person, and an individual who has been vouched for cannot vouch for another person. | A person who is unable to produce identification can be registered as a voter. In order to do so, the individual must complete an application for registration and be accompanied by someone who is a registered voter in the applicant’s electoral district, an adult family member, or someone who has the authority to make personal care decisions in respect of the applicant. The applicant and the voucher must both make a solemn declaration, in writing, as to the applicant's identity and place of residence. A person can only vouch for one person, and an individual who has been vouched for cannot vouch for another person. | ||
'''NOTE:''' A literal interpretation of both the ''Canada Elections Act'' RSC 2000, c 9, and the ''BC Election Act'', RSBC 1996, c 106, suggests that it is practically impossible for individuals with no fixed address to vote. However, the provincial electoral officer facilitates voting by homeless people through an administrative policy of allowing a flexible definition of “residence”. | :'''NOTE:''' A literal interpretation of both the ''Canada Elections Act'' RSC 2000, c 9, and the ''BC Election Act'', RSBC 1996, c 106, suggests that it is practically impossible for individuals with no fixed address to vote. However, the provincial electoral officer facilitates voting by homeless people through an administrative policy of allowing a flexible definition of “residence”. | ||
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